Daijiworld Media Network - London
London, Jun 15: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to prohibit children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, describing the move as a major step towards protecting young people from the harmful effects of excessive online engagement.
The proposed regulations are expected to be introduced before Christmas, with the new safeguards likely to come into force in the spring of 2027.
Announcing the decision, Starmer said the government had carefully studied available evidence before deciding to act, stressing that social media was negatively impacting children's wellbeing and safety.
In a video message shared on social media platform X, the Prime Minister said every parent wants their children to grow up safe and happy, but today's generation faces challenges that previous generations did not experience.
Reflecting on his own upbringing, Starmer said children today are navigating a rapidly changing world where technology increasingly dominates their daily lives.
He noted that feedback received during a nationwide consultation revealed deep concerns among parents, many of whom believe their children have become addicted to social media.
According to Starmer, endless scrolling on digital platforms is replacing essential activities such as playing outdoors, spending time with family and getting adequate sleep, while also harming young people's mental health.
"Parents need our support, and that is why the government has decided to ban social media access for children under 16. It is a significant step for the country," he said.
Starmer acknowledged that implementing such a measure would not be straightforward and said the government had deliberately avoided rushing the decision.
He added that authorities would continue to adapt their approach as technology evolves and would draw lessons from other countries pursuing similar policies.
The Prime Minister also said the government expected resistance from some of the world's largest technology companies but remained determined to proceed.
"We will take them on and we will succeed because the need for action is undeniable. Social media is making our children unhappy and unsafe, and that cannot continue," he said.
The British government said it plans to adopt a model similar to Australia's approach to regulating children's access to online platforms.
The proposed restrictions will apply to major social media services, including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. However, messaging applications such as WhatsApp and Signal will be exempt from the ban.
The government also announced tighter controls on artificial intelligence-powered chatbot services.
AI "romantic companion" chatbots, which simulate intimate or sexual relationships with users, will be required to enforce a minimum age limit of 18 years.
Similar restrictions will also apply to intimate features offered by other AI chatbot platforms for users under 18.
The announcement follows one of the largest public consultations conducted by the UK government on child online safety, which received more than 116,000 responses from parents, children and experts nationwide.
According to the findings, public support for stronger action was overwhelming.
Nine out of ten parents backed a ban on social media use for children under 16, while nearly two-thirds of young respondents agreed that children below that age should be restricted from accessing at least some social media platforms.
The government said the new measures are aimed at creating a safer digital environment and ensuring that children enjoy healthier and more secure childhoods in the years ahead.